Ray Johnson (American, 1926-1995) was an artist celebrated for his contributions to the Neo-Dada and Pop Art movements, and has been credited as a key founder of the genres of mail and correspondence art, most notably his New York Correspondence School. During his studies at Black Mountain College in North Carolina he encountered lecturers and visiting faculty including John Cage, Joseph Alpers and Robert Motherwell, who inspired his practice and interest in language and collage. In the 1950s, Johnson became known for his “moticos,” a coined term for collages that featured layered newspaper articles, photographs, fragmented lists and doodles finished with a polished surface. Alongside collage and correspondence art, Johnson’s practice included the creation of the Robin Gallery, an art space with no physical location. This immaterial gallery existed as publicity for Johnson and his network and speaks to his ubiquitous presence in the art world. Johnson’s work is collected internationally, including the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Tate Modern (London), Hammer Museum (Los Angeles) and Museum moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien (Vienna).